Tips for tackling homework after a school absence

It’s inevitable that sometimes your kids are going to miss school, especially if they fall ill. Despite this, schoolwork continues, meaning when they return there’s bound to be a whole load of assignments that will need completing. At Tutor Doctor we know how important it is to fulfill our responsibilities even when we fall behind a little. That’s why we’ve put together some tips for tackling homework after a school absence.

Determine exactly what’s got to be done.

First things first- you need to determine with your child exactly what they need to catch up on. Nowadays this is easier than ever, with schools posting daily updates, weekly quizzes and class-work information on web pages. If this isn’t an option, you can also email your child’s teacher or pop into school and get a detailed list of work that needs completing.

Break up the work into manageable chunks

We all know big jobs are much easier to manage when they’re broken down into smaller ones. The last thing you want is for your child to feel overwhelmed by their workload, as it will make them feel stressed and not able to perform to the best of their ability. Help your kids prioritise which tasks are the most important and encourage them to start with these. Learning how to break down big projects is a valuable life lesson that will help with your child through school, career and beyond -- so the sooner they learn how to do this effectively the better!

Set a schedule

Once you’ve prioritised a list of areas in which your child needs to catch up, it’s time to make a plan together. Schedule a reasonable timeline, allowing a few hours a week for them to catch up on the work they’ve missed. For each hour, set smaller goals, such as reading to the end of chapter 3 of the English book they’re studying, or completing a certain section in a textbook. Setting realistic tasks in a structured format is probably going to be the easiest way for your child to gradually get up to speed without feeling overwhelmed.

Encourage your child to stay after school

If your child has upcoming exams or has a lot of catching up to do, it may be a good idea for them to stay after school once or twice a week. Not only will the learning environment mean they can concentrate on the task in hand, they can always ask their teacher to stay behind and help them if they’re struggling. After a few weeks, we guarantee they’ll be back on track.

Stay positive

It’s going to be hard to catch up with assignments on top of their normal workload, so expect a few speed bumps along the way. The most effective form of encouragement is to try and remain positive and patient, as well as offering firm but gentle guidance. There really is nothing more important than your child knowing they have support along the way!

Monitor and reward

Finally, make sure that you don’t leave catching up with schoolwork solely to your child. Every now and again, check in to see how they’re doing. Not only does this show you care, it also lets your kids know that you’re involved and interested while ensuring they don’t ignore outstanding assignments. It’s also important that you see what they’ve been doing -- so don’t be afraid to ask to see schoolbooks, worksheets and laptop work. If you can ensure they’re on track and putting in the effort, small rewards can also go a long way and will be sure to keep them motivated during this short period.